NORTHERN IRELAND: Defender delighted Michael O’Neill signs new deal

Kevin McLaughlin

Burnley’s Daniel Lafferty is happy that Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has signed a new four deal with the Irish FA.

Only last week the former Shamrock Rovers gaffer put pen to paper on his new lucrative deal and Lafferty feels now everything is sorted all focus will now be on this summer’s European Championships.

“Michael is the manager that brought me into the squad and have given me 12 caps so far and I’m massively grateful for that,” he said.

“It’s great for the players that Michael has signed a new deal, he’s a very good manager and the squad which he has at the minute it’s very enjoyable, very settled in a way, with everyone knowing everyone.

“All the players in the squad also know how to play for him and what he wants from the team, so it’s great to have that security behind the squad that the manager is committed for another four years and hopefully personally for me it’s good.”

Commenting on his new contract O’Neill said: “I am pleased to have signed this new long-term contract with the stability that it brings to me, the staff and the players.”